Skip to main content

Salsa de Piña Asada con Habanero: Roasted Pineapple Salsa

4.9

(14)

Editor's note: Chef Roberto Santibañez, the chef/owner of Fonda in Brooklyn, New York shared this recipe as part of a festive taco party menu he created for Epicurious. He recommends serving this salsa with his <epi:recipelink id="364389">Carnitas or <epi:recipelink id="364409">Carne Adobada Tacos.</epi:recipelink></epi:recipelink>

Pineapple's bright sweet-tart flavor becomes sweeter and more complex as the sugars caramelize on the grill or under the broiler. Like most fruit salsas, a high heat level—thank you, habaneros—keeps all that beautiful sweetness in check. This salsa brings to mind tacos al pastor—the amazing taqueria specialty of pork roasting on a vertical spit with a piece of pineapple on top, dripping its juices onto the charred meat—so I often serve it with roast pork or Carnitas, but it also goes great with grilled fish or shrimp. I thank my dear friend, the wonderful chef-instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, Sergio Remolina for inspiring this recipe. Cheers, Sergio!

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    35 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

4 (1/2-inch-thick) round slices fresh pineapple (1/2 pineapple)
1/4 cup mild olive oil or vegetable oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, or more to taste
2 fresh habanero chiles, minced, including seeds
1/2 teaspoon fine salt, or 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Set the oven to broil (alternatively, you can preheat the oven to 500°F) and preheat, or heat a lightly oiled grill pan over medium heat. If you're using the oven broiler, position the rack 8 inches from the heat source.

    Step 2

    Brush the pineapple slices with some of the oil and roast or grill them until they're browned on both sides and tender, 5 to 6 minutes a side on the grill pan, or 8 minutes a side under the broiler. Let them cool to room temperature.

    Step 3

    Dice the pineapple (about 1/8 inch), discarding the core, and mix it in a bowl with the remaining ingredients. Season to taste with additional lime juice and salt.

    Step 4

    This salsa keeps in the refrigerator for up to one day.

Adapted with permission from Truly Mexican by Roberto Santibañez with JJ Goode, (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Read More
With a crisp crust and fruity filling, pineapple pie is a Philippine bakeshop specialty.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Scoop up these warmly spiced chickpeas with any flatbread or spoon them onto rice.
Make the most of melon season with this simple and savory fruit salad.
Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.
This refreshing melon and cucumber salad works as a snack, starter, or side dish.
Put these out at a gathering, and we guarantee you’ll be hearing rave reviews for a long time.
A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.